Ideabaaz, a startup discovery and entrepreneurship platform, has acquired a stake in KickSky Space Lab, India’s first venture capital-backed space-tech accelerator, in a strategic move aimed at strengthening the country’s deep-tech and space-tech ecosystem. The partnership will focus on identifying, nurturing, and scaling innovative homegrown startups operating in frontier technology sectors.
The announcement took place during VivaTech 2026, Europe’s largest startup and technology event, held in Paris, France, highlighting the growing global interest in India’s innovation-driven startup landscape.
Through this collaboration, founders within the Ideabaaz ecosystem will gain access to KickSky Space Lab’s specialised network spanning space-tech and frontier technologies. This network includes industry experts, research institutions, venture capital investors, corporate partners, and international collaborators. At the same time, startups supported by KickSky Space Lab will leverage Ideabaaz’s nationwide reach, enabling greater visibility and improved access to funding opportunities and strategic investor networks.
In a joint statement, the companies said, “India’s deep-tech ecosystem is seeing rapid growth across space-tech, aerospace, artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced manufacturing, climate technologies and defence innovation. Yet many of the country’s most promising ventures continue to struggle with access to specialised ecosystems, strategic partnerships, global customers, and growth capital. This partnership is designed to address that gap directly.”
Riceberg Ventures, E2MC Ventures, and Aniara Space co-founded KickSky Space Lab to accelerate India’s emergence as a global leader in space-tech and frontier technologies. Since its launch, the accelerator has focused on fostering innovation and supporting high-potential startups. Moreover, over two accelerator cohorts, the platform has built a strong track record of connecting early-stage startups with investors, industry stakeholders, government agencies, and international market opportunities. As a result, it has strengthened the growth prospects of emerging space-tech and frontier technology ventures while helping them access critical funding, mentorship, and global expansion opportunities.
Speaking on the announcement, Ankit Anand, founding team member of KickSky, said, “For India to become a global deep-tech powerhouse, we need more than capital. We need ecosystems that help founders bridge the gap between scientific innovation and commercial success. Together with Ideabaaz, we can help founders build technologies in India and scale them internationally.”
Highlighting the significance of the collaboration, Mudit Kumar, co-founder, Ideabaaz, said, “India has no shortage of talent or breakthrough ideas. What many founders need is access — the right ecosystem, the right visibility, and the right opportunities at the right time. This partnership ensures that exceptional deep-tech founders from every corner of India can access the networks and resources needed to compete globally.”
As India’s startup ecosystem continues to evolve, the partnership between Ideabaaz and KickSky Space Lab expects to create new pathways for innovation-led entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the alliance will help emerging deep-tech and space-tech startups gain access to mentorship, capital, industry expertise, and international opportunities, thereby strengthening India’s position as a global innovation hub.
